Floor cleaning and polishing machine



Jan. 15, 1963 A. J. M MASTER 3,072,941

FLOOR CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1959 INVENTOR.

1953 4 A. J. MCMASTER 3,072,941

FLOOR CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jan. 15, 1963 A. J. MQMASTER FLOOR CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE INVENTOR. fire/ 4? Jj/ c/lksfzi 5 5 J Z j 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 Uited States Patent 72,941 FLQUR CLEANENG AND P$HSHING MACHINE Archie J. Mel /Easter, Bannockbnrn, lib, assignor to G- M Laboratories inc, Qhieago. ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 856,974 12 Claims. (Cl. 15-98) This invention relates generally to machine for cleaning and polishing floors and especially to such a machine that is electrically operated and particularly adapted for home use.

Modern society is typified by the vast number of labor saving devices which are available to the average consumer; and in the face of this situation, it seems paradoxical that nearly 90% of all housewives still scrub floors by hand. Furthermore, tests have shown that most of the strenuous labor involved in hand scrubbing floors is wasted since hand scrubbing, as customarily practiced, merely dilutes and redistributes some of the dirt which the floor has acquired.

Floor cleaning machines have been developed for com mercial use in order to replace hand mopping. However, these machines are much too large and expensive for home use; and in addition, they have not been adapted to household application.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for conditioning floor surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which permits the housewife to scrub and dry floors from an erect position without any bending or stooping.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for maintaining the condition of floor surfaces which apparatus continuously presents a clean mop element to the floor during the damp drying operation.

A further object of the inventionis to provide floor conditioning apparatus which selectively meters conditioning solutions to the floor surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for maintaining the condition of floor surfaces which apparatus is eflicient and which is convenient. to use.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which is easy to-store in the home.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of use, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of floor conditioning apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged, side elevational View in cross-section of the floor conditioning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view in crosssection of the floor conditioning apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the transfer roller withdrawn from contact with the mop roller;

FIG. 4- is a side elevational view in cross-section of another embodiment of the floor conditioning apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in cross-section of still another embodiment'of the floor conditioning apparatus of the invention showing the conditioning solution tank and metering device;

MG. 6 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrating the metering device in its refilling position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view partially in invisible outline of a further modified embodiment of the fioor conditioning apparatus of the invention illustrated in upright, self-storing position;

3,li72,94l Patented Jan. 15, 1953 ICC FIG. 8 is a side elevational view partially in invisible outline of a further modified embodiment of the invention illustrating another arrangement for upright selfstorage;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view in cross-section of a tray for the conditioning solutions, which tray is adapted for use with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 1-0 is a side elevational view partially in crosssection and partially in invisible outline of a yet further modified embodiment of the invention showing a mop roller having an edge projection;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view in cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 10; and

PEG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in crosssection of the edge projection provided on the mop roller of the apparatus of FIG. 10.

The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. l3 includes a floor-engaging mop roller 1d which is rotatably mounted in a housing 12 by means of an axle 14. Mop roller 10 is surfaced with a substantial thickness of a sponge-like material; and while cellulosic or synthetic rubber sponge is preferred, other materials, such as lambs wool and steel wool, also may be employed to advantage. Housing 12 is conveniently fabricated by vacuum forming or molding a resinous plastic or by the employ of other suitable methods and materials.

Mop roller It is driven in the general direction of arrow 16 by means of a motor 18 mounted inside housing 12 by a bracket 2%. Advantageously, motor 18 incorporates a self-contained speed reducer 22. A pulley 24, secured to the output shaft of speed reducer 22, drives a cooperating pulley 26 fastened to axle 14, a belt 28 interconnecting pulleys 24 and 26.

A handle stem 30 is affixed to housing 12 extending upwardly therefrom to support a handle 32. While a drop cord 34 is coupled to electrical conductors, not shown, passing through a central bore in stem 30 to provide electrical connection to motor 18, handle 32 includes squeezable grips 36 which are adapted to operate a switch mechanism controlling the operation of motor 18.

Housing 12 also encloses a transfer roller 38 and a back-up roller 40 which are mounted respectively to arm members 42 and 44, roller 38 being freely rotatably mounted and roller 40 being provided with a drag or friction brake. Arm members 42 and 44 are swingably mounted to a bracket 46 at a common pivot point 48, bracket 46 being suitably fastened to the back wall of housing 12. Rollers 38 and 49 are biased together by means of a tension spring 50.

Roller 38 is selectively directable into engagement with roller 10 by means of a control link 52 whichis fastened to the arm 42 and which extends slidably through housing 12 to dispose a control link lever 54 in proximity with handle 32. Advantageously, clips 56 are fastened to stem 30 providing guides for the like 52.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, a coil 58 of absorbent paper or other similar material is rotatably mounted within housing 12 to implement continuous cleaning of rnop roller 10 during damp dry operation. The specific mode of utilization of the absorbent paper will be brought out more fully hereinbelow. Sufi'lced to say, at this juncture, that paper may be withdrawn from the coil 58 by means of the rollers 38 and 49 between which it is threaded.

It is also important to point out here that, when the absorbent paper leaves the rollers 38 and .49, it passes through an opening 60 in the front wall of housing-12 to be collected on a swingably mounted tray 62, the tray 62 terminating in a curled lip 64. Curled lip 64 is 3 adapted to encourage rolling up or coiling of the paper on the tray 62.

Having thus described one construction of the invention, it is important now to state how the illustrated embodiment operates. Assuming the existence of scuff marks, foot prints or tracks which have dried onto a hard surfaced floor, such as an asphalt tile or linoleum floor, reconditioning of the floor surface may be achieved as follows employing the apparatus of the invention.

Having drop cord 34 connected to an appropriate wall outlet, mop roller 10 is charged with a quantity of detergent or other conditioning solution. This charging of mop roller 10 may be achieved by dipping the roller in a tray full of an appropriate solution.

Such a tray is illustrated in FIG. 9 where a tray structure indicated generally at 66 includes a storage portion 68 and a smaller, shallower, dispensing portion 70, the bottom of portion 68 depending beneath the bottom of portion 70. A dam-like element 71 extends between portion 68 and portion 70 whereby stepping on the treadle element 72 will cause the tray to tip allowing solution to pass from portion 68 to portion 70. Subsequently, the mop roller 10 may be dipped into the dispensing portion 70, as is suggested in FIG. 9.

With the mop roller 10 charged with solution and having roller 38 withdrawn from contact with roller 10 by an appropriate manipulation of control link 52, depression of grips 36 will result in energization of motor 18 and a driving of mop roller 10 in a rotary scrubbing motion.

So operating, the apparatus of the invention may be moved back and forth over an area of 20 or 25 square feet to achieve mechanical scrubbing of the floor surface. As will be recognized, roller 10 provides the only contact between the apparatus and the floor surface. Furthermore, it is to be recognized that the exposure of approximately270 of the cylindrical surface of mop roller 10 permits effective scrubbing of a floor surface immediately adjacent a wall or beneath the toespace frequently associated with kitchen equipment.

Having scrubbed the selected area thoroughly, the apparatus of the invention is directed to cover the area a second time; and in this second pass, the control link 52 is operated to urge the transfer roller 38 into contact with the mop roller 10, this arrangement being shown in FIG. 2. Since transfer roller 38 is freely rotatable relative to the arm member 42, engagement of the rotating roller 10 by the roller 38 will cause roller 38 to revolve in a direction opposite to that taken by roller 10.

By virtue of the biasing together of rollers 38 and 48, the paper from coil 58 which is threaded therebetween will be withdrawn from the coil 38 and directed out of the opening 60 when roller 38 engages roller 10. In accordance with a feature of the invention, therefore, dirt and moisture picked up by the mop roller 10 during this second pass will be transferred by the roller 38 to the paper from coil 58 in a manner somewhat similar to printing operation. Thus, during the second pass or dry mop stage of operation, mop roller 10 is continuously cleaned so as to present an unsoiled surface to the floor during the entire damp dry operation.

So that extensive amounts of the absorbent paper are not utilized during this second stage, transfer roller 38 is provided with a smooth surface which tends to slide somewhat relative to the 'surface of mop roller 10 allowing roller 38 to revolve at a slower speed than that at which the mop roller 10 revolves. Furthermore, back-up roller 40 is provided with a slightly roughened surface and may be arranged with a drag or friction brake to further slow passage of the absorbent paper from coil 58.

As will be apparent upon consideration of the results, theroller 38 must be made of a material which is capable of being wetted by the water or other floor cleaning liquid in order that at least some of the water and the dirt carried thereby can be transferred from the mop roller 10 on to the roller 38 for transfer to the absorbent paper.

As will be recognized, the foregoing sequence of operation may be repeated until the entire floor surface which it is desired to recondition has been covered. It is also comprehended that the conditioning solution may have wax included therein as an emulsion, in which case, polishing of the floor may be achieved in conjunction with cleaning. Likewise, germicidal proper-ties may be imparted by including a suitable germicide in the conditioning solution.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-8, wherein modified embodiments of the invention are shown and wherein like numerals have been employed to designate like elements, considering first FIG. 4. wherein paper is adapted to be withdrawn from coil 58 at a constant speed, a speed reducer 22a, having concentric output shafts delivering different rotational speeds, is arranged to drive the mop roller 10 and an arcuately adjustable back-up roller 40a through belts 28 and 74 respectively, Advantageously, the arcuately adjustability of back-up roller 48a is achieved be extending a mounting shaft 76, about which roller 38a revolves, through appropriate cam slots in the sides of housing 12, the center of the arc of these cam slots preferably being the axis of the shaft of motor 18. Wing nuts or other suitable fasteners are employed to secure shaft 76 in its desired positions, one such position being noted in broken outline in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, transfer roller 38 may be biased against mop roller 10 by means of a compression spring 78 extending between the arm 42 and a bracket 80 secured to the back wall of housing 12.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 operates similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 with the exception that alteration of the mode of operation from scrubbing to damp drying involves readjustment or repositioning of the back-up roller 48a in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

As will be recognized, back-up roller 48a is driven whenever roller 10 is driven. Transfer roller 38, on the other hand, rides in constant contact with mop roller 10. Furthermore, the tray 62 is shown to be provided with an elongated lip 64a which serves to insure furling up of the absorbent paper withdrawn from coil 58.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a housing 12b is fabricated with an integral tank illustrated generally at 82, tank 82 being adapted to contain a quantity of the conditioning solution. Advantageously, the top portion 84 of housing 12b is fashioned to present a funnel-shape which facilitates filling of the conditioning solutions into the tank 82.

A chamber 86 of a metering device indicated generally at 88 underlies tank 82 communicating therewith through an orifice 90. A hollow tube 92 extends from the chamber 86 to a header 94 disposed adjacent mop roller 10 a short distance thereabove. Header 94 is appropriately apertured to allow conditioning solution to flow from the chamber 86 across the surface of mop roller 10; and as will be recognized, the bore of tube 92 is arranged to be sufliciently large to allow gravity flow of the conditioning solution and concomitant flow of air upwards into the chamber 86.

Metering device 88 also includes stoppers 96 and 98 spaced a fixed distance apart on shaft 100. Shaft 100 etxends slidably through a handle stem 30]) formed integral with housing 12b, shaft 100 emerging adjacent the handle proper for facility in control.

Accordingly, manipulation of shaft 100 is able to direct the stoppers 96 and 98 into the operate condition association with the scrubbing operation, which position is illustrated in FIG. 5. It is to be noted that tube 92 opens into the chamber 86 above the stopper 96 in this operate position.

After the conditioning solution has been drained from chamber 86 in use, shaft 100 is employed to urge the stoppers 96 and 98 into their refilling position indicated generally FIG. 6. Here, conditioning solution from the chamber 82 is allowed to flow into chamber 86 above stopper 96 but is prevented by the stopper 96 from draining directly through the tube 92 onto the roller 10.

Embodiments of the invention arranged for self-storage of the apparatus in an upright position are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. With particular reference to FIG. 7, a housing 12c is provided with a squared lower terminus 102. Furthermore, track elements 104 are mounted within housing 120 to allow a frame 106 to be slidably'manipulated within the housing 120. Frame 1% is adapted to carry the power washing unit comprising the motor 18, the mop roller and associated functional elements. Thus, manipulation of frame 106 permits withdrawal of the mop roller 10 to a position within the housing 120 so that terminus 102 provides a base or rest upon which the entire apparatus may be balanced or supported. Conversely, frame 106 is manipulated to extend roller 10 into its operating condition when use of the apparatus is desired.

In FIG. 8, the power washing unit comprising motor 13, mop roller 10 and the associated functional elements are stationarily mounted as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Self-storing of the apparatus of FIG. 8 is achieved by securing a wire frame 108 to the tray 62, frame 108 extending beyond the lower extremity of roller 10. Accordingly, when tray 62 is disposed in its open position as shown in solid outline in FIG. 8, the wire frame 108 is rotated so as not to obstruct operation of roller 10. Conversely, when tray 62 is disposed closing off the opening in housing 12b, frame 108 extends beneath mop roller 10 providing a foot upon which the entire apparatus may be rested.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-12, a floor-engaging mop roller 110 is shown rotatably mounted in a housing 112 by means of an axle 114. The mop roller 110 comprises a tubular core 116 fitted with end hubs 118 and surfaced with a molded rubber sleeve 120. Sleeve 120 is preferably of relatively low durometer and is provided with a circular, knife-like projection 122 integrally disposed at one end.

As is best shown in FIG. 12, projection 122 is arranged to extend radially from sleeve 120 when relieved of pressure but arranged to extend generally axially when the sleeve 120 contacts a floor and pressure is brought to bear on the projection. These two positions are shown in broken outline and in solid outline respectively in FIG. 12. As will be recognized, projection 122 permits scrubbing, drying and polishing beyond the corresponding side plate of housing 112. Thus, the floor conditioning apparatus of the invention is rendered capable of reaching those fioor surfaces closely adjacent the walls of a room.

In order to provide motive force to the mop roller 110, a pulley 124 is securely mounted to the axle 1114; and suitablemeans, such as for example a cog belt 126, connect pulley 124 with a drive pulley 128 secured to the output shaft of motor 13%). Another drive pulley 132 is secured to the output shaft of motor 130 and is suitably connected, as by means of a drive belt, to a pulley 134 which operates a paper drive roller 136. The size relationships of the several pulleys are advantageously arranged to provide proper rotational speeds to the cone sponding rollers.

Paper drive roller 136 is rotatably mounted on an axle extending between two triangular support plates 13%. These support plates are positioned relative to each other by spacer rods 140'. Additionally, plates 138 are arranged to be pivotal about the axis of the drive shaft of motor 130. Accordingly, paper drive roller 136 can be selectively and arcuately directed into or out of contact with a transfer roller 142 by a link assembly 144.

Transfer roller 142 is, in similar manner to paper drive roller 136, mounted on an axle which extends between two triangular support plates 146. Spacer rods 143 are advantageously provided; and the entire transfer roller 6. assembly is arranged to be freely pivotal about an axis defined by one of the spacer rods 148.

Motor is mounted to a bracket disposed within housing 112; and in accordance with a feature of the invention, a coil 152 of absorbent paper or other similar sheet material is rotatably mounted within the housing 112, as by brackets 153, above the bracket 150. The bracket 150 is so arranged that sheet material from the coil 152 may pass about the motor 130, as by being guided by a rod 140, to the paper drive roll 136. An opening 154 is positioned in housing 112 cooperatively with the paper drive roller 136; and a collection tray 156 is swingably mounted to the housing 112 for selectively closing off the opening 154 and for selectively collecting quantities of used sheet material, as previously described hereinabove.

The apparatus of FIGS. 10-12 may also be advantageously provided with a tank 158 for containing quantities of fioor conditioning fluids. A double-stoppered metering device 160 is employed in conjunction with tank 153 so as to direct proper quantities of the floor conditioning fluids to the mop roller 116.

As is best shown in FIG. 11, housing 112 may be provided with a partition wall 162 which defines a chamber for enclosing the pulley-drive means and certain portions of the metering device 160.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. Apparatus for maintaining the condition of floor surfaces comprising: floor-engaging means defining an endless surface; continuously deliverable sheet material spacedapart from said endless surface; and means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said floor-engaging means and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said floor-engaging means to said sheet material, said means for transferring particles of dirt retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

2. Apparatus for maintaining the condition of floor surfaces comprising: a rotatably driven, "fioorengaging mop roller; first roller means freely rotatable and directable into engagement with said mop roller; continuously deliverable, absorbent sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and second roller means for pressing said sheet material against said first roller means with at least line contact therebetween and for urging said first roller means into at least line contact with said mop roller whereby particles of dirt picked up from said floor surface by said mop roller are transferred to said sheet material by said first roller means.

3. Apparatus for maintaining the condition of fioor surfaces comprising: a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller having its axis of rotation horizontally disposed; means selectively metering floor conditioning liquids to said mop roller; first roller means freely rotatable and directable into engagement with said mop roller; continuously deliverable, absorbent sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and second roller means for pressing said sheet material against said first roller means with at least line contact therebetween and for urging said first roller means into atleast line contact with said mop roller whereby particles of dirt picked up from said floor surface by said mop roller are transferred to said sheet material by said first roller means.

4. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means having an opening; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing means in protruding relationship; first roller means freely rotatable and directable into engagement with said mop roller; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; second roller means for pressing said sheet material against said first roller means with at least line contact therebetween and for urging said first roller means into at least line contact with said mop roller; said roller means being disposed upstream of said opening relative to the direction of movement of said paper for feeding said paper out said opening; and closure means for said opening, swingably mounted to said housing and defining a repository for used quantities of said sheet material.

5. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means including a tank; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing means in protruding relationship; metering means for selectively conducting floor conditioning liquids from said tank to said mop roller; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said mop roller to said sheet material, said means for transferring particles of dirt retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

6. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means having an opening; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing means in protruding relationship; first roller means freely rotatable and directable into engagement with said mop roller; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; second roller means for pressing said sheet material against said first roller means with at least line contact therebetween and for urging said first roller means into at least line contact with said mop roller whereby particles of dirt picked up from said floor by said mop roller are transferred to said sheet material by said first roller means; said roller means being disposed upstream of said opening relative to the direction of movement of said paper for feeding said paper out said opening; closure means 'for said opening, swingably mounted to said housing and defining a repository for used quantities of said sheet material; and foot means rotatable in conjunction with said closure means providing a support for said housing means when said closure means obstructs said opening.

7. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means; track means within said housing means; a power scrubbing unit including a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller; a rotatable coil of continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; roller means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said rnop roller to said sheet material; and frame means supporting said power scrubbing unit and being slidable in said track means whereby said mop roller may be withdrawn into or extended from said housing means, said roller means retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

8. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means having a squared terminal portion; track means within said housing means; a power scrubbing unit ineluding a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller; a rotatable coil of continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart fromsaid mop roller; roller means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said rnOp roller to said sheet material, said roller means retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material; and frame means supporting said power scrubbing unit and being slidable in said track means whereby said mop roller may be withdrawn into or extended from said housing means, whereby said housing means may be stored in an upright position on said squared portion when said power scrubbing unit is withdrawn.

9. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means defining a tank portion and having an opening; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing means in protruding relationship; a metering device for selectively conducting floor conditioning liquids from said tank portion to said mop roller; first roller means freely rotatable and directable into engagement with said mop roller; continuously deliverable, absorbent sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; second roller means for pressing said sheet material against said first roller means with at least line contact therebetween and for urging said first roller means into at least line contact with said mop roller whereby particles of dirt picked up from said floor by said mop roller are transferred to said sheet material by said first roller means; said roller means being disposed upstream of said opening relative to the direction of movement of said paper for feeding said paper out said opening; and closure means for said opening, swingably mounted to said housing means defining a repository for used quantities of said sheet material.

10. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing in protruding relationship; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said mop roller to said sheet material, said means for transferring particles of dirt retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

11. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing in protruding relationship, said mop roller comprising a hollow, resilient cylinder having a flexible, normally radially extending projection at at least one one end; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said mop roller to said sheet material, said means for transferring particles of dirt retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

12. Floor conditioning apparatus comprising: housing means; a rotatably driven, floor-engaging mop roller mounted to said housing in protruding relationship, said mop roller comprising a hollow, resilient cylinder having a flexible, normally radially extending projection disposed integrally at at least one end, said projection being arranged to flex axially by contact of said roller with a floor surface whereby said projection is disposed beyond a sidewall of said housing; continuously deliverable sheet material spaced-apart from said mop roller; and means operably disposed between and having at least line contact with said mop roller and with said sheet material for transferring particles of dirt from said mop roller to said sheet material, said means for transferring particles of dirt retrieving, selectively retaining and releasing said particles to said sheet material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 899,726 Goodier Sept. 29, 1908 2,621,350 Bye Dec. 16, 1952 2,642,601 Safiioti June 23, 19,53 

1. APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING THE CONDITION OF FLOOR SURFACES COMPRISING: FLOOR-ENGAGING MEANS DEFINING AN ENDLESS SURFACE; CONTINUOUSLY DELIVERABLE SHEET MATERIAL SPACED-APART FROM SAID ENDLESS SURFACE; AND MEANS OPERABLY DISPOSED BETWEEN AND HAVING AT LEAST LINE CONTACT WITH SAID FLOOR-ENGAGING MEANS AND WITH SAID SHEET MATERIAL FOR TRANSFERRING PARTICLES OF DIRT FROM SAID FLOOR-ENGAGING MEANS TO SAID SHEET MATERIAL, SAID MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING PARTICLES OF DIRT RETRIEVING, SELECTIVELY RETAINING AND RELEASING SAID PARTICLES TO SAID SHEET MATERIAL. 